Discover a range of dog harness or collar, this is the question that divides the minds of many dog owners. There are a number of reasons why you should lead your dog with a chest harness. For example, if you have a four-legged friend who pulls hard on the lead, the constant pull on the neck can lead to health problems such as cervical vertebrae disorders or chronic wheezing. You can now find out why a harness is also useful and how to choose the right one from the various types
Why a harness?
Have you ever put on a dog collar and let someone pull on the leash? Then you’ll know how unpleasant it is. Because the collar presses on the larynx when there is a strong pull and constricts the air. You also have to use force in your throat to counteract the pull.
This is quite strenuous for your cervical spine and leads to tension in the long term. It feels the same for your dog when he wears a collar and pulls on the leash. Although a dog should always walk loosely on a leash, it rarely works right away. That is why you should definitely use a harness when a dog is pulling.
Even dogs that do not normally pull can cause a jolt when they spontaneously jump after a cat or rabbit. With a harness, the pressure is distributed over the entire chest and back, but the sensitive neck area is spared.
Another advantage of a harness is that you do not change your dog’s body language when he pulls. With a harness, the neck is automatically pulled backwards or upwards by the pull. This can be perceived as threatening by another dog and lead to a corresponding reaction.
Not to underestimate is also the factor safety. If you have to grab your four-legged friend quickly and hold him tight, he will feel less threatened by a harness than if you grab his neck. And if you want to help him get out of the car or hike in a difficult place, you are also way ahead with a harness. If you have a very frightened dog, special safety harnesses guarantee that he cannot slip out and run away in panic. This is a nightmare, not only in familiar surroundings, but also on holiday.
By the way, if your dog runs on a towing line, a dog harness is absolutely mandatory. With a collar, he could be seriously injured if he races unbraked into the end of the leash.
Why are there so many different harnesses
The selection of harnesses is just as broad as the appearance of dogs. A pug with a broad chest needs a different one than a slender greyhound or a dachshund with a long back. Another reason for the different harnesses are their possible applications. For train dog sports or rescue dogs they are constructed differently than for dogs that are true escape artists. And dog harnesses for small dogs or puppies are available as well as individual custom-made harnesses.
No matter which harness you choose, the important thing is that it fits your dog well. After all, he should feel comfortable in them and not be restricted in his freedom of movement. This means that your dog’s shoulder must be free and not be restricted by the harness. Which harness for which purpose?